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Eugene A. Philbin

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Eugene A. Philbin
New York County
District Attorney
In office
1900–1901
Preceded byJohn R. Fellows
Succeeded byWilliam T. Jerome
Personal details
Born
Eugene Ambrose Philbin

(1857-07-24)July 24, 1857
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
DiedMarch 14, 1920(1920-03-14) (aged 62)
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocrat
Spouse
Jessie Holliday
​
(m. 1887)​
Parent(s)Stephen Philbin
Eliza McGoldrick
EducationSeton Hall College
Columbia University
Signature

Eugene Ambrose Philbin (July 24, 1857 – March 14, 1920) was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was New York County District Attorney from 1900 to 1901 and later served as a justice on the New York Supreme Court.[1]

Early life and education

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Eugene A. Philbin was born in New York City on July 24, 1857, the son of Stephen Philbin and Eliza (McGoldrick) Philbin.[1] His parents were Irish immigrants, reflecting the large influx of Irish Catholics to New York City in the mid-19th century.[2] He attended Xavier High School, a Jesuit institution in Manhattan, and graduated from Seton Hall College in New Jersey. In 1883, he entered Columbia Law School, graduating in 1885 and being admitted to the New York bar in 1886.[1]

Career

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After graduating from law school, Philbin began practicing with the firm of Ogden & Beekman. In 1894, he became the senior member of the law firm Philbin, Beekman & Menken.[1]

Political career

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Philbin's political career began in August 1899 when Governor Theodore Roosevelt appointed him to the New York State Board of Charities to fill a vacancy.[3] In December 1900, Governor Roosevelt appointed Philbin as New York County District Attorney to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of Asa Bird Gardiner.[1] Philbin's appointment came amidst a reform movement aimed at rooting out corruption in New York City government and breaking the power of Tammany Hall.[4] He served as District Attorney until the end of 1901. During his tenure as District Attorney, Philbin worked to reform the office and investigate corruption. In October 1901, he issued a groundbreaking report estimating that police graft in the city amounted to about $1 million annually.[5][6] Philbin's political involvement continued after his term as District Attorney. In 1904, he became a member of the New York State Board of Regents, serving until 1913.[7] In October 1905, Philbin played a prominent role in the Democratic city convention, where he made the nominating speech for Mayor George B. McClellan Jr.'s re-election.[8]

Judicial career

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Philbin's transition to the judiciary came in April 1913 when Governor William Sulzer appointed him to the New York Supreme Court (1st D.) to fill a vacancy.[9] In November 1913, Philbin was elected to a full 14-year term on the Supreme Court.[10] Philbin's judicial career reached its pinnacle in May 1919 when Governor Alfred E. Smith designated him to serve on the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, First Department.[1]

Civic and charitable activities

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Philbin served as president of the Parks and Playground Association of New York City until 1913, advocating for the preservation of public parks and opposing efforts to alter Central Park.[1] From 1904 to 1919, Philbin was an active and influential member of the Marquette League, a New York City-based organization that raised funds for Catholic missions among Native Americans in western states.[11] In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed Philbin to a citizens' group investigating conditions at Ellis Island.[1]

Personal life

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On June 28, 1887, Philbin married Jessie Holliday, and they had five children together, including:

Jesse Holliday Philbin (d. 1978)[12]

A devout Catholic, Philbin was active in church affairs. In 1908, Pope Pius X made him a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great in recognition of his service.[1] Philbin died of pneumonia at his home at 63 West 52nd Street in Manhattan on March 14, 1920, while still serving on the Appellate Division.[1] His funeral was held at St. Patrick's Cathedral and was attended by many prominent legal and political figures.[13]

Descendants

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Through his son Jesse, he was the grandfather of Jessie Holladay Philbin, who married Ledyard Blair Clark (1917–2000), the son of Judge William Clark, in 1941.[14][15]

Legacy

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Philbin was remembered as a reform-minded lawyer and judge who worked to improve New York City government and the state's legal system. The American Irish Historical Society praised him, stating he had "by his opinions and work as a judge, erected a monument to himself in the jurisprudence of this State more enduring than bronze."[16] His efforts to combat police corruption as District Attorney, his advocacy for public parks, and his service on the bench left a lasting impact on New York City and State.[17]

Sources

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Judge Philbin Dies; His Illness Brief – End Comes at His City Home After Being Stricken with Pneumonia Tuesday – Was Born Here in 1857 – Justice's Life Marked by Public Service, Especially in Protecting Parks" (PDF). The New York Times. March 15, 1920. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  2. ^ Bayor, Ronald H. and Timothy J. Meagher, eds. The New York Irish. JHU Press, 1997.
  3. ^ "Eugene A. Philbin Appointed – He Succeeds J.V. Dahlgren on State Board of Charities" (PDF). The New York Times. August 23, 1899. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  4. ^ Golway, Terry. Machine Made: Tammany Hall and the Creation of Modern American Politics. Liveright, 2014.
  5. ^ "Graft Bill a Million – Philbin Says This City Pays That to Police Every Year" (PDF). The New York Times. May 24, 1905. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  6. ^ "PHILBIN LASHES TIGER: GRAFT IN TENDERLOIN UNDER TAMMANY QUARTER MILLION". New York Tribune. October 17, 1903. p. 2.
  7. ^ "Mrs. Fairchild Loses Case – Court Rules That $250,000 of Father's Estate Is Principal, Not Income" (PDF). The New York Times. April 29, 1913. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  8. ^ "M'Clellan Chosen; Unpledged, He Says – Accepts Mayoralty Nomination, Declaring Himself Unfettered – Metz and McGowan Named – For Controller and Aldermanic President - Covention [sic] Praises Roosevelt for Making Peace" (PDF). The New York Times. October 6, 1905. p. 1. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  9. ^ "Sulzer Nominees In; Truce with Murphy – John H. Delaney as Economy Commissioner Is Satisfactory to Tammany" (PDF). The New York Times. April 22, 1913. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  10. ^ "Tammany Ticket Includes Whitman – Dr. Darlington for Borough President – Philbin and Weeks for Supreme Court" (PDF). The New York Times. August 27, 1913. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  11. ^ The Catholic Encyclopedia and its Makers. The Encyclopedia Press. 1917. p. 136.
  12. ^ "Jesse Holladay Philbin, 78, Former Bank Official Here". The New York Times. March 18, 1969. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  13. ^ "Eugene Philbin funeral at St. Patrick's". The New York Times. March 17, 1920.
  14. ^ "Jessie Philbin to Wed Blair Clark Thursday; She Will Have 3 Attendants at Marriage in Boston Chapel". The New York Times. May 25, 1941. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  15. ^ "Miss Jessie Philbin Married in Boston To L. Blair Clark, Son of Federal Judge". The New York Times. May 30, 1941. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  16. ^ The Journal of the American-Irish Historical Society, American-Irish Historical Society, v. 19-20, 1921.
  17. ^ "Eugene A. Philbin". Historical Society of the New York Courts. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
Legal offices
Preceded by New York County District Attorney
1900–1901 		Succeeded by
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